Hearts can break. Yes, hearts can break. Sometimes I think it would be better if we died when they did, but we don't.

~By Stephen King from 'Hearts in Atlantis'.

Daniel's POV

"I want to go back with the Alpha, Daniel."

For a minute, I just stared at her blankly, my mind had gone blank and the same words repeated in my head over and over.

Why does Ari want to leave? No she can't...She can't leave me...

"Ari but you didn't look very happy to meet Anthony last time and even seemed uncomfortable around him. Then why do you want to go back with him? Is he forcing you to get back with him?" I asked desperately trying my best to get a liable answer from her.

The Alpha must be forcing her. Yeah, that must be it! There's no other reason she wants to get back with him, right?

Ari's soft hands held mine snapping me out of my momentary denial, "No, Daniel. No one's forcing me. I have to make the decision myself. And I chose to go back with him because...." Tears flowed down Ari's beautiful eyes one by one. I wiped away the tears with the back of my palm feeling my heart ache as she peered straight into my eyes and said, "I love him."

I love him. I love him. I love him....

God Damnit!

"No! You're lying! You don't love him! You...Did I do something wrong? Is that why you want to leave me, Ari?" I snatched my hands out of her hold and held her shoulders in a firm grip.

No matter what she said, I just didn't want to accept the fact that she wanted to leave me and that she loved....

No!

The tears started running down her cheeks once more, "I'm not....lying, Daniel. You never did anything wrong and so...I want you to...end this marriage of ours. D-Divorce me," she said in a choked tone as her voice shook.

"W-what...." I swallowed hard trying to clear my voice.

Suddenly, in an instant my world collapsed right before my eyes. I don't think I heard her right. W-why does she want to end our marriage? Why?

Although it was fixed in the beginning that I and Ari would be divorced once Anthony accepts the truce and technically the mate bond meant more than a marriage based on a few papers in the werewolf Kingdom, but Ari had unknowingly creeped into the depth of my heart more than anyone could ever be and I don't think I can fulfil that part of the truce now....

I had vowed to myself that I'd never let a woman into my heart ever again because it was like asking for a permanent heartbreak. But Ari, she is different. I tried so much not to be attached to her but despite of that she always managed to break my walls and make me fall for her because she was worth the goddamn risk.

"W-Why?" my voice was thick with emotion before I cleared my throat and said in a stern tone, "I can't divorce you, Ariana, no matter what you say. As for your request to return back with Anthony, will you be happy after that?"

Just say no, Ari...please...

She simply nodded her head breaking any ray of hope in me.

"Very well." I spoke defeatedly.

My heart was aching and I wanted nothing more than to lock Ari up in a tower and keep her for myself, away from any prying eyes or away from the God forsaken Alpha but I can't do that with Ari. I can't force her into something she doesn't want. If she'll be happy with the Alpha then so be it even if that will break me forever, I'll feel content that she's happy.

I stared at her face trying to capture every feature of her face--her beautiful eyes a mixture of blue and green, her pretty pale face, her soft and delectable lips. I felt my resolute breaking just looking at her. How am I going to live without her?

"Ari, can I just...one last time....kiss you?"

I didn't wait for her permission and instead leant down to claim her lips. She seemed surprised but she didn't object or try to back away instead wound her arms around my neck deepening the kiss. I was stunned by her action but I didn't have the time to dwell on it. Time was ticking before Ari would back away.

So, with what started as a sweet and gentle kiss turned into a passionate one as I tasted her like a man who had been starved for years and she was my last drop of water. Ari, on the other hand, didn't object and let me possess her lips like a crazy animal.

As much as I craved to keep kissing her forever, we both knew this was a goodbye kiss. When I pulled back, I knew something between us was breaking and it hurt like hell.

"Ari, don't leave," my voice was barely above a whisper but I'm sure she caught it as she gazed at me with a heartbroken expression.

Wait, heartbroken? No, I must be misinterpreting it... Didn't she say that she wanted to go back with Anthony? Then why would she be heartbroken? But then why did she kiss me back...?

"I don't want to-" Ari's eyes widened as she realised what she had just said and I couldn't help but stare at her in shock. A glimmer of hope seeping through my heart but that hope vanished in thin air as she continued after a clearing of her throat.

"I mean, I don't want to stay here. I have to go back. I'm sorry, Daniel," Although her mouth spoke these words, her face said otherwise.

Why am I misinterpreting everything today? Maybe I just don't want to believe that Ari has to go...

"Okay, then. As you wish," I said coldly. All the traces of emotions in me gone replaced by a numb and void feeling.

I grabbed Ariana's wrist dragging her towards the door so that we could go to the courtroom and get done with this. I know I'm being irrational but I can't bear this pain anymore. And I'm afraid that if I stay here with her any longer, I would actually lock her up or worse beg her to stay here--both of which I shouldn't be doing.

Just when we were about to make it past the room's door, Ari stopped walking making me involuntarily halt on my steps. I turned my head a bit to look at her with a questioning look.

She hesitantly spoke, "As much stupid and cliché this sounds, I want you to live a happy life without me. I want you to find your better half and I know, she'll be the best because you deserve the best, Daniel."

"You know what?" I let out a sardonic laugh turning around so that I'm facing her. Pulling her body flush against mine, I wound an arm around her waist and inched my face deathly close to hers.

"I actually found that 'better-half' and believe me, she is the best because she makes me happy when she's around. But good things never last. I let her into my heart only to be left heartbroken. Since the girl I love is leaving me alone," I said everything from the start to the end, all the words meant for her.

Ari stared at me with wide eyes looking shell-shocked. She looked at me as if I were an alien. For some odd reason, I felt content due to her expression.

I didn't wait for her answer and backed away. Grabbing onto her wrist once more, I proceeded to move ahead when Ari spoke finally seeming to get out of whatever trance she was in,

"Daniel, c-could you please go ahead? I'll be following you shortly in a minute. Please," Ari asked avoiding eye contact. I frowned at her request but when she said please, I sighed helplessly.

"Okay, just five minutes. You have to be there in the court room after that."

She nodded in reply still not looking at me.

I hesitantly let go of her hand missing the warmth and feel of her hand in mine but then I realise that maybe I won't ever be able to hold that hand again which dims my already dull mood.

I briefly glance at Ari's face before turning around and exiting out of the room as I shut the door behind me. I walk a few steps but then suddenly halt on my steps only to punch the wall next to me in frustration and self-despair.

Letting my forehead rest against the hallway's wall, I let out a defeated sigh.

I love her.

I had admitted it myself and the worst thing is, I realised it just when she's about to leave.

Now, How the hell am I not going to miss you, Ari?! And how the hell am I supposed to survive another heartbreak when I know very well I'll never be able to get past this one or forget you, Ariana Cristford....

________

Ahh...I know you guys probably hate me right now>_<
But believe me when I'm saying that this had to be done in order to reveal a few secrets and who knows, maybe this separation will bring Daniel and Ariana closer than ever before;) >_•

I know this chapter is short compared to the earlier ones. But when I was initially writing the chapter, I guessed it would cross 4000 words which would take like forever to read so I separated them in 2 parts. The next part will be hopefully updated soon:)

Hope you guys liked this chapter (just joking, I know you didn't)

Bubye, meet you in the next chapter^_^